"Benson Safaris: Thrilling Adventures Await!"
Benson Safaris Tanzania
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2006)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB & IGS
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $1,200 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Rebecca | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
4.5 / 5 A fantastic experience, with a few minor - very minor - glitches
From the beginning, Pendo at Benson did an outstanding job communicating with us to arrange our trip just to our liking. This was not an easy task, as we had 2 families with different needs attempting to create an itinerary that would appeal to everyone. She took all of our changes to the itinerary in stride and arranged everything to our liking. Our guide, Kessy, was amazing - we could not have asked for better. When you spend as much time in a vehicle with someone as you do on safari, it's really important to have a good rapport. The first part of our trip was with my husband and me with his brother and family. Kessy was great with the kids, even when they weren't always the most fun to be around. Kessy was very knowledgeable and friendly, and was always open to our whims when it came to animal-watching and our questions about everything. The second part of our trip it was just my husband and me, and having Kessy all to ourselves was wonderful. He even put up with my obsession with watching dung beetles and my husband's need to get just one more really good picture of that giraffe... one more... (As a bonus, he was also very patient with my unending - and at times pathetic - attempts to learn Swahili.)
We did a side trip to Zanzibar, (midway through for my husband and me, at the end of the trip for my in-laws), which was unfortunately a little disappointing. The hotel we stayed in was great, but it was a very busy area and swimming and playing on the beach was not pleasant because we were constantly being approached by folks trying to sell us tours or boat trips. This is of course not the fault of Benson Safaris, but it would have been nicer to stay somewhere where there was a little less commerce happening at all times of day and night. There was some confusion with Benson when it came to the snorkel outing that had been planned. In our itinerary it stated that we were going to Chumbe Island, but when the guide came to pick us up he said that no, we were going across to Prison Island, a much shorter trip and by all accounts not nearly as interesting for snorkeling. After some back-and-forth telephoning with the tour representative in Zanzibar and with Pendo we figured out that the tour was incorrectly represented on our itinerary. It turned out to be too choppy for snorkeling in the Prison Island area unfortunately, so we missed out completely on that. Obviously the tour company has no control over the ocean conditions, but had we actually gone to Chumbe as we thought we were going to, it would have likely been better due to the location of the snorkel site there.
The other minor hiccup came with meals. My in-laws are vegan and we were assured that accommodating this would be no problem. Somehow, however, it was not communicated to the lodge we stayed in for safari, and lunches were not only not vegan, but there was only one lunch packed as vegetarian at all. Also, there were extremely limited options for vegan for the family at the lodge. Kessy did his best to try to fix this, but I think that communicating what vegan means was difficult. Again, a minor hiccup, but if you have very specific meal needs it would be a good idea to double and triple check on this.
Overall, though, an amazing experience! My recommendation overall is Benson Safaris for safari, and perhaps a different, local Zanzibar tour company for visiting the island.
SE
Email Anna R | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service throughout the entire process ending with an amazing safari-experience.
Very informative quote and excellent service overall. Very nice administrativ staff with swift responses regarding questions.
Knowledgeable and nice guide with very good driving skills, never got stuck once but helped several who did.
Excellent accomodation in both Arusha and the tented camp in Serengeti. Very good boxed lunches, got treated to fresh pineapple in Ngorogoro-lunch from another Benson-driver and excellent dinners.
We got to see everything from a dung beetle to lions taking down a waterbuffalo in Ngorogoro. We got to see the big five!
Highly recommend going on safari with Benson Safaris!
US
Email Devon Rubin | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great time in Tanzania
For my first contact with Benson Safaris, we were met with a friendly, competent, responsive and organized company. Our driver/guide, Amini, was the best. He kept us on track I made sure we saw as many animals as possible, and we saw a huge amount. We always felt safe and taken care of and enjoyed his amiable personality and his knowledge about wildlife. Benson and Pendo in the office were also delightful. This company wants to make sure that you have the best possible time in Tanzania and I think they met that goal!
BR
Email Diego Aranha | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything Perfect
We stayed 8 days and 7 nights with the Benson team. Our guide Joshua had extensive knowledge of the routes, animals, good direction, really knew what he was doing. It was an unforgettable trip, everything went as planned.
US
Email Devon | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic time in Tanzania.
My husband and I went on an 11 day safari with Benson Safaris. We had a fabulous time! For my first contact with the Benson company to the very last, they were friendly, warm, competent, and professional. We were very well taken care of and never felt unsafe, even though at times we were 5 feet away from Lions. The hotels and tent camps they chose were wonderful. Best of all was our guide, Amini. He did a fabulous job and took great care of us. We had a lot of fun with him and he kept us organized and moving ahead. We saw more animals and then we could even imagine! This is a wonderful company and I highly recommend them. I think that if you choose the Benson company, you will be very happy!
CA
Email Chloe | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Better than I could ever imagine!
My boyfriend and I went on a safari with Benson Safaris this past February. From the moment I inquired with them I knew I had to book with them. They were very responsive from the beginning and made sure we had the perfect 7 night itinerary. we had an amazing guide, Amini who was so friendly and knowledgeable throughout our entire trip. The accommodations and food were beyond what we could imagine. I am so grateful to have gone with such a great company. I highly recommend going with Benson Safaris and asking for Amini. Thank you for an incredible adventure!
DE
Email Uwe Ikker | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari Tour in Tanzania
Our dream of a safari has come true! My girlfriend and I had been planning a trip to Tanzania for a long time. Despite Corona, we decided to do it last month. We traveled with Benson Safaris Tanzania and had a wonderful vacation, uncomplicated and with wonderful impressions. Even during our many rebookings, we were able to contact the team at any time, and we always met with understanding despite annoying questions from us. Our guide Piter, speaks fluent English, was terrific! He not only brought us closer to the animal world and nature with his infinite knowledge, but also the culture of the tribes of Tanzania. As a hobby photographer, it was a dream for me to get the wild world of Trier in front of my lens. For us Tanzania was a fantastically beautiful country, with many great, open-minded people despite all the adverse circumstances in this very "new" time for everyone. Everyone complied with hygiene measures, provided information and kept their distances.
We can unreservedly recommend Benson Safaris Tanzania.
Unser Traum einer Safari ist in Erfüllung gegangen! Meine Freundin und ich hatten schon lange eine Reise nach Tansania geplant. Trotz Corona haben wir uns im letzten Monat dafür entschieden. Wir sind mit Benson Safaris Tanzania gereist und hatten einen wundervollen Urlaub, komplikationslos und mit traumhaften Eindrücken. Auch während unser vielen Umbuchungen konnten wir jederzeit Kontakt mit dem Team aufnehmen, sind jederzeit auf Verständnis gestoßen trotz nerviger Fragen von uns. Unser Guide Piter, spricht fließend Englisch, war grandios! Er hat uns nicht nur die Tierwelt und Natur näher gebracht mit seinem unendlichen Wissen, sondern auch die Kultur der Volkesstämme Tansanias. Es war für mich als Hobbyfotograf ein Traum, die wilde Trierwelt vor meiner Linse zu bekommen. Für uns war Tansania ein traumhaft schönes Land, mit vielen tollen, aufgeschlossenen Menschen trotz aller widrigen Umstände in dieser doch sehr "neuen" Zeit für alle. Jeder ist Hygienemaßnahmen nachgekommen, hat aufgeklärt und Abstände eingehalten.
Wir können Benson Safaris Tanzania uneingeschränkt weiter empfehlen.
DE
Email Peter Kemnitzer & Susanne Moll - filmmaker and photographer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Refueling our souls on safari with Benson's
We were now already for the second time on the road with Benson Safaris (first time in 2019). It was not only about landscapes, animals and impressions. The special challenge: We shot professionally. This only works if safari guide and photographer/filmer form a perfect team. In both cases we were lucky to have Peter as our guide. Very quickly he understood how we think and what we need. Peter's profound knowledge of the Serengeti and the crater gave us lots of great opportunities for sightings and he made (almost) every wish possible with a lot of commitment. Also vehicle and organization of Benson Safaris are perfect. We always felt safe and cared for. Our son learned a lot including some Suaheli. If you wonder when to visit the Serengeti, now is the time, as not too many people were around. We will be back again with pleasure!
SE
Email Flora Hajdu | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Personalised but very professional, attention to every detail!
What a professional yet personal company! It was a delight to deal with Benson safaris in every way, from the start the attention to the client was outstanding.
We were fortunate enough to be driven and guided by Benson himself, who is such an amazing person, warm and fun to be around, always looking out for us in every way. He really prides himself in arranging top-quality safaris where nothing should be left to chance. Hygiene standards are top-notch, the coffee is great and everything is really super well organised.
Many have written about their excellent game viewing experiences so I can add something else. I am interested in fair staff treatment issues which can be a challenge if a company is too cheap (or if the owner is greedy). I asked a lot about how Benson runs his company and treats his staff and I must say I was very impressed with everything about how he explained he treated, trained, paid etc. his staff. No wonder they stay with him long term. I belive this attitude is what makes the company really good, his staff is really given the chance to grow and develop their skills.
I can really recommend going with Benson safaris!
Email Charles Kona | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Operator was skilled, entertaining and mostly important he was dedicated to save
The trip with Benson safaris cross five regions in Tanzania i.e Arusha, Manyara, Dodoma, Morogoro and Dar es salaam was wonderful, It was my first time to met such skilled, dedicated, and funny man who made our trip to be enjoyable and excellent.
His company was outstanding, passionate, informative, entertaining.